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My little space on the web where I blog about comics and comic books, drawing and illustration, graphic design, writing stories, and a few tips and tutorials from time to time about them. I'll also share bits about movies, theater, music, (maybe even cooking!) and whatever strikes my fancy.

Mid-Life Crisis: I guess it's official

People who know me well can tell you that I've been one to lock my psychological age at 26. In fact, I've been "26" for about nine years now, and the fact that people tell me that I look far younger than 39 seems to prove that age is all in the mind. Sure, I've been noticing more lines on my face, plus the onset of sagging cheeks, coupled with a few aches here and there, but I've otherwise never really felt my age. Not that I know what my age is supposed to feel like, but the words "I'm too old for this," never factored into the way I went about my life.

But lately I've been ill-at-ease of a different sort--more irritable, impatient, less motivated, easily distracted, lethargic. For someone who's predisposed to feeling this way, I can say with some authority that this new attack is really different.

So I've done a bit of research, including consulting with someone older, and have more or less confirmed that, yes, I am indeed going through the crisis of mid-life--the dreaded "male menopause"--and it's not fun. Well, I could have fun with it if I choose to, but I'm not choosing that right now. (Though, I could always write a story about an abstaining single gay man going through mid-life crisis, and it'll be a comedy whether I like it or not.)

The sources I've read mention not just the psychological causes, but also the biological causes, so there's the whole chemical thing that can't be controlled. Even if some experts say that there is no biological basis for mid-life crisis, I can always say, "Honey, it sure feels like it."

This poses a whole range of challenges for me and it'll only take supreme willpower to sail through the experience. Once source states that those who "associate their work with their identity" are more susceptible, which includes me. The sad part is, making comics has been a large part of my identity, so even my work on the sequel has been affected. Work on Zaturnnah in Manila is still ongoing, but has considerably slowed down.

Comments

Darna!!! ay mali... Zaturnnah pala, he he he. May "Ding" kasi at may bato pa, ha ha! I could say welcome to the club but it won't help you. But I must say, I am indulging more in finding myself and my place in this world, slowing down some with work and trying to see people instead of places (though I love going places). You could think mid-life as a time for yourself and yourself alone... You've given yourself to so any people in the past, this time give this gift to yourself and enjoy. We're all here for you. Labs u Papa Carl.

maria... Since this is just the beginning, I'm anxious to find out what would happen if all goes full swing. Should be interesting. :-P But that, dear, for the advice. As another friend said, I should go out more. Hugs!!

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I'm just curious to find out from you: What aspects of making stories and comics do you find yourself struggling with?

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Here are some of the highlights from last year:
1) "I Heart Davao," the 40-episode television series aired on GMA 7. I was given the opportunity to write a number of episodes for that show, but I insisted that I could only do ten. My primary reason was that I had never written for television before, so I didn't want to dive headfirst into unfamiliar territory. Our headwriter was Chris Martinez, and the writing team had me, Dwein Baltazar, and Eljay Castro Deldoc. Our director was Marlon Rivera.

I wouldn't consider my experience as representative of what really goes on in television writing in the Philippines, but it was an eye-opener. I never imagined that I'd be able to write more than two hours worth of script (five episodes) in two weeks. It was thrilling, to say the least, seeing how the script was brought to life in the finished product.

I've had a long and fruitful career in graphic design, article writing, and magazine art direction, and I've dabbled in theatre acting, playwriting, and teaching in university. But Fate led me to making comics, where I've found unexpected and flattering success.